Sex, Leisure And Commodity Essay Example

of impressionism, artists moved away from painting still images and began focusing on the dynamic activities of people and nature outdoors in public spaces (Rewald 111). This shift brought about a surge of vibrant colors and created a sense of depth, motion, action, and atmosphere. Impressionist painters didn't merely capture what was in front of them but also conveyed their overall perception and impression of the subject matter (ibid).

During the impressionist movement, artists aimed to capture the natural tension and activity of their subjects in order to create more dynamic and fluid brushstrokes. The goal was to paint real life in the present moment, emphasizing motion as much as possible. However, critics initially rejected these works for deviating from established techniques like painting objects as they appear in reality. Despite this initial resistance, later on, critics recognized that impressionism was a welcome change and even a precursor to modern art. When considering the particular subjects and their portrayal used by these artists, it becomes clear that impressionists were to the contemporary art world what still photographers and filmmakers are to modern art. (Rewald 24, 26).

The painting "A Bar at Folies-Bergere" depicts a bustling bar in Paris with a mirrored background reflecting the activity of patrons and featuring a trapeze performer and drinks. This lively scene was typical of entertainment venues in 19th century Paris. However, at the center of the painting is a bar maid who appears bored and exhausted, with a dull gaze and somber expression, despite her job requiring her to stay put and attend to the bar. The reflection of a customer on the right side likely depicts her own image as

she interacts with patrons. (Battaille 3, 16).

According to (18), the reflected image of a woman in Manet's Olympia may not be the same as the actual woman being portrayed. It's possible that it's a reflection of another woman or a manifestation of the painter's own thoughts of talking to a man. Despite this, the Olympia is a notable example of Manet's depiction of urban life in Paris during his time, particularly in showcasing the life of prostitutes who received flowers as gifts from affluent men. Unlike traditional paintings that idealize nude women, Manet portrayed his subject realistically as a prostitute fulfilling her societal role. Thus, the image of the nude woman in Olympia should not represent an archetype for women, but rather an accurate portrayal of a working prostitute. In this regard, it can be compared to paintings of men and women performing work tasks like cutting grass or harvesting crops.

According to Bataille (8), the realism in Manet's work is evident in the portrayal of women who worked for men's pleasure, without any attempt to conceal it. The presence of the flower worker on the right, implying additional compensation for sexual services, further reinforces this reality. Overall, Manet's purpose was to highlight the close connection between sex, leisure, and commodification during his time. His paintings depicted that true entertainment arose from work and effort, regardless of whether one sold their body for sex or catered to the leisurely desires of upper middle-class men. Ultimately, his works utilized sexual symbols and the working class as a means to create commodities that satisfied the tastes and pleasures of the elite while embodying a strong touch of

verisimilitude to life in Paris.

Essentially, 19th century Paris advertised themes of sex, leisure, and entertainment with the aim of creating a commodity that the city would pay for emotionally, rather than through currency. To achieve this goal, the images had to be provocative and attention-grabbing. Similarly, brand advertisements face the challenge of effectively communicating with consumers in a short amount of time. Therefore, advertisements need to be catchy and novel in order for a brand name to stick in the minds of consumers and influence their purchasing decisions across various media formats including print, radio, and online.

The most effective advertisements are those which display creativity and personality, often used to persuade people that a particular brand will seamlessly fit into their lifestyle or even create a new one for them. These advertisements utilize themes such as Manet's paintings, sex, leisure, and entertainment to effectively communicate the brand's message to target consumers. For example, Skyy's Vodka advertises their product with a man in a suit holding a bottle and glasses, towering over a seductive woman wearing little clothing.

The photograph encompasses the themes of sexuality, relaxation, and labor through various yonic symbols such as the triangular shape of the bottle, space between legs, breasts, toes, and sharp edges. The primary idea presented is that a prosperous businessman should treat himself to Skyy vodka after a full week of work with a woman on the beach. The overall tone emphasizes sex as a reward for hard work, with drinking vodka being a vital element to get drunk and ready for intimacy. On the other hand, Paris Hilton's Guess jeans advertisement takes a different approach by not

needing subtlety in its suggestions. It goes without saying that Paris Hilton embodies today's sexual liberation.

Paris Hilton's mere presence establishes a connection between fashionable Guess clothing and a chic, sexually liberated lifestyle. This association is powerfully reinforced by Hilton's celebrity status and persona. Hiring celebrity endorsements comes at a higher cost than creating cartoon images, but the investment is worth it because it immediately equates the brand with the lifestyle of the endorsing personality, making it more appealing to consumers who wish to emulate that lifestyle. Unlike Manet's Olympia and A Bar at the Folies-Bergere, Hilton appears to thoroughly enjoy participating in the advertisement and shows no signs of discontent or boredom.

In essence, there are numerous similarities between Manet's impressionistic artwork and advertisements for Skyy Vodka, Paris Hilton, and Guess jeans. Both mediums incorporate themes of sex, leisure, and entertainment, which are portrayed as valuable commodities. Consequently, these visual materials establish a link to fundamental human desires and ambitions. Essentially showing that people work to earn access to these commodities, while others operate within the industries of leisure, entertainment or prostitution as a profession. In any scenario, each individual creates a commodity for the other.

At present, the sole distinguishable contrast between Manet's paintings and advertisements is that the former contain authentic truth through their usage of realism and impressionism, intended to intellectually and emotionally stimulate the audience, while the latter typically employ exaggeration as a means of enticing consumers to purchase the product depicted in the image rather than simply appreciating the image itself.